My work focuses on exploring the intimate and powerful connections that exist between female friends. When it comes to intimacy, most people tend to think of familial or romantic relationships. However, in my life, the one thing I cannot live without is friendship. As a child, I felt abandoned and neglected in my family, and this left me yearning for a sense of closeness that I could not find within my family. I am the second child in my family, with an older sister and a younger brother. At the time of my birth, China had a one-child policy, and most families could only have one child, but rural families were allowed to have a second child after five years if the first child was a girl. However, as the second child, I was still a girl, so I was adopted to my uncle on the seventh day after my birth. Then my brother was born two years later.
I rejoined my original family when I was five years old. Some people may think I have no affection for my family, but that's not true. I have lived in this family for many years, I like my family, my parents are very good to me, and they understand and support whatever I want to do. But I have always felt a lack of emotional connection with them, because I can clearly feel that they prefer my brother, who is a son.
Fortunately, I get warmth from my friends. They are like my chosen new family, and it is noteworthy that all of my close friends are women, be in part of a group of supportive women makes me feel safe, seen, and heard. This project to explore and celebrate the bonds between women that have brought me accompany, comfort, support, and filled the void I experienced within my familial relationships.
Growing up, I received a lot of trust, strength, and love from my female friends. I believe there is a unique bond that exists between women. These bonds allow for vulnerability and authenticity, allowing us to strike the perfect balance between intimacy and distance, creating a unique connection that is difficult to replicate in other relationships. Through my photography, I hope to portray the profound relationships between women, highlighting their joy, vulnerability, support, and love.
